The BA Launches the Arabic Edition of MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data
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The BA inaugurated the 4th International Book Summit by an opening ceremony, launching the Machine Readable Cataloging, MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data, in Arabic on 6 November 2015.
The ceremony was attended by eminent international figures, intellectuals, and library professionals. Several speeches were given to highlight the important role of translation in evolving knowledge and culture, and to stress the importance of coping with the world library standards—one of which is MARC 21.
MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data in Arabic is the first full translation, including the latest updates—update 19 with huge selections from updates 20 and 21. The Arabic edition was adapted to Arabic cataloging rules with examples ensuring Arabic coverage from a variety of Arabic library catalogs and authority files. The produced manual has adopted an arrangement and a typography to ease use for catalogers. The printed version will be available for purchase in December 2015, preceded by a free tailored online version, which will be available soon through the website of the Arabic Bibliographic Standards services. Ms. Ouf concluded her word by dedicating the work to the Arab catalogers, thanking them for their crucial role in universal access to knowledge.
It is worth mentioning that MARC formats are standards by which bibliographic information is documented in a machine–readable form and one of the most important systems in data creation, loading, and sharing. The Arabic translation of MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data is to benefit the Arab catalogers, providing them with an international standard in their mother tongue.